Sure, the Stanley Cup Finals between the Bruins and Blackhawks have been exciting, but the length of the series and these playoffs in general is playing hell on Flyers’ offseason right now. General manager Paul Holmgren is essentially paralyzed until he can officially exercise the buyout of Danny Briere’s contract, including when it comes to re-signing his own players.

Lucky for Philadelphia the Flyers aren’t trying to keep too many impending free agents, but a couple guys are in the mix. The club will surely extend an offer sheet to restricted free agent Erik Gustafsson once the financials clear up. What about Simon Gagne?

After two-and-a-half years, Gagne returned to the team via trade in February, and for a 33 year old who was reduced to the fourth line in Los Angeles, it turned out there was something left in the tank. The two-time All Star posted 11 points in 27 games in Orange & Black last season in addition to having an impact on the Flyers’ special teams. Going beyond numbers, you could just tell he can still skate.

This is not the same player who once racked up back-to-back 40-goal seasons, but Gagne proved he can contribute. Perhaps sensing Philly is a fit, or simply happy to be back where he spent the first 10 seasons of his 13-year NHL career, No. 12 is hopeful he can stick around. Per DN’s Frank Seravalli:

"I had two really good meetings, with both 'Lavy' [coach Peter Laviolette] and 'Homer' after the season ended," Gagne said yesterday from Quebec City. "They thought that I did a lot of good things toward the end of the season and liked what I brought to the team.

"Right now, they have some money issues, which would prevent us from doing anything. The salary cap is complicated and there are rules.

"My agent has kept in touch with 'Homer' and he told us that he would call us before the draft."

If the Flyers go out and trade for a Bobby Ryan or make a similarly high-level acquisition, that may reduce the front office’s interest in retaining Gagne. They are still going to be tight against the cap however – especially if they hold on to Ilya Bryzgalov for another year – and as Seravalli points out, Gagne sounds like somebody who is willing to accept a hometown discount.

"I'm at the point of my career where I made really good money for a while," Gagne said in April in Montreal. "At the end of the day, money is just a small question. Being happy is important. If I like the place, I'll make things work - for everyone to be happy, to make sure it doesn't hurt the team."

At this point, the team’s followers overwhelmingly seem to want Holmgren to embrace the youth movement. That said, the Flyers probably need at least one more decent winger than is currently on the roster, so keeping Gagne around would make sense even on that blueprint. He’s a fan favorite who comparatively speaking could likely be had for relatively cheap.

Honestly, I wouldn’t have a huge problem if the Flyers completed the Mark Streit deal, amnestied Briere, re-signed Gagne, and other than some minor moves, basically called it a day. Based on the rumors, they sound determined to make a splash as usual, but the upcoming season should be dedicated to discovering exactly what they have with their young core.

They do need a couple extra parts though, and could do worse than Gagne, somebody who actually wants to be here.